10th September 1998 - Thursday
Frank was glancing at the clock on the wall every few seconds, jiggling his leg furiously. There were currently five minutes until the bell rang, and he couldn't be more anxious. The fact that Gerard was in art and therefore, not with him, didn't help at all. Gerard was like a security blanket to Frank. Even though he tended to be more panicky than him, he always calmed him. Frank figured it was the fact that Gerard was always a constant in his life, from the moment he had met Gerard, he had always stayed in his life, even if it was for being picked on by Frank. Gerard was familiar, Gerard was soothing.

The bell rang and Frank got immediately off his seat, making his way to the door where outside he found a very jittery Gerard. He grabbed his hand pulling him towards the main entrance.

"C'mon Gee let's go."

"What if he suspects something Frank." Gerard asked.

"Don't worry he won't." Frank said reassurigly.

They raced towards the entrance, where they were fairly surprised to find everyone there.
"C'mon are we gonna go or daydream about it?" Frank asked.

They all walked at a rapid pace to the mall, Brendon and Ryan giggling to each other, Pete totally not staring at Patrick while he blushed redder than a tomato, Ray, Bob and Andy going on about some band, and Gabe giving sex tips to Frank and Gerard, Gerard uncomfortable with the whole situation, and Frank laughing in hysterics at Gabe's ridiculousness.

When they arrived at the mall, they split the money, $100 to buy the present, and $25 for Ryan, Brendon, and Pete to buy the decorations. Bob didn't let them keep the other $75 though, which was probably a good idea considering it was Ryan and Brendon and Pete buying unicorn decorations, and that could only end in them overspending.

I took them a while to find the extend box set, about half an hour, which apparently still wasn't enough time for Ryan, Brendon and Pete to sort out the unicorn decorations. Bob had to go into the store take what they had, pay for it and drag them out of there saying they were on a schedule. Frank had to admit it was totally funny, almost funnier than Gerard's little-boy-on-christmas look when he entered the various stores looking for the box set. Almost.

---

They got home with about an hour to spare before Mikey got home, so they took their time, Bob, Gabe, Andy, Ray and Patrick putting up the decorations, Ryan, Pete and Brendon ordering them around telling them where everything went, and pretending they were on a home decor show, and Gerard fuming all over the place whilst trying to tidy up his bedroom, so there was at least enough space for eveyryone to sit down.

"Hey Gerard," Gabe said. "I found these two blow up mattresses upstairs, could I maybe like put either one up next to your bed so we can all lie down on them?"

"Um sure as long as you don't plan on using it for a massive orgy later on." Gerard replied flashing him a grin.

Gabe huffed out a laugh. "Dammit you ruined my plan."

Gerard giggled a bit and stopped cleaning, it was good enough. Better than it had been in forever actually. Then he and Gabe proceeded to each put up a mattress on either side of Gee's bed.

When the mattresses finished blowing up, Gerard glanced at his clock and saw that it was end of last period, so Mikey should be there in 15 minutes.

"Hey Frank!" He shouted down from the basement, hearing a muffled 'yeah?' in response. "Should we order the pizzas now or when Mikey gets here.

"Probably when Mikey gets here." Frank said just as he appeared at the top of the stairs. "The pizza could get cold if he's late."

Gerard nodded in response, running a hand through his hair, the other one on his cocked hip, looking around at the room. It was simple, but he knew Mikey would enjoy it.

---

They were all hiding since Gerard had said he had seen Mikey down the road. Frank really hoped Mikey enjoyed all this, not only because he was trying to redeem his trust, but mainly because it had probably been a long time since the kid had a birthday party. He made a mental note to plan one out for Gerard on his birthday too. He wondered what Gerard's reaction would be to a surprise party when suddenly he heard the door unlock. He could vaguely see Mikey step in and poked his hand out a bit so everyone could see his 'on 3' signal. Everyone jumped out and yelled surprise, and when Mikey saw the unicorn decorations, he laughed out, loud and dorky.

"Thanks guys. You actually threw me a surprise party."

"Anything for you Mikes." Gerard said. "It was actually Frank's idea, and since you know, I didn't have enough money they all pitched in a bit to help."

Mikey smiled at Frank. "Just wait till you see the den me and Gerard made downstairs dude." Gabe said "Hours on end of movies, complete with pizza. Oh and tomorrow we're skipping so we can stay in and sleep."

Mikey laughed again. "You got Patrick to skip school?"

"Hey, you're my best friend!" Patrick protested. "I'd do anything for you man."

"Oh and here's your present Mikes." Gerard said, handing him the neatly wrapped present.

Of fucking course Gerard could wrap presents perfectly what with thos artist hands, Frank thought.

Mikey opened it and his eyes grew wide, like really wide. "Oh my God you guys. This is fucking insane." And that was the first time Frank actually saw Mikey look excited, and really excited. For a dude who barely showed any emotion, when he did it was almost fucking intoxicating.

He brought everyone into a hug.
"C'mon let's go downstairs." Frank said. "I'll order the pizza."

Just as everyone went downstairs and Frank went ot order the pizza, Mikey stopped him.
"Hey I just wanted to say thank you. You're not a bad guy after all, just made stupid decisions. And as much as I want to punch you're stupid face sometimes, you make Gee happy now, so I forgive you." Mikey said.

Frank opened and closed his mouth like a fish, looking for a response. Instead he came out with a breathy thanks.

"Go on dude, order the pizza, there are people down there waiting." Mikey said slapping him on the back.

As he walked away Frank stared stupidly after him, wondering what had just gone on.

---

Many hours and movies later, Gerard looked around him. Empty pizza boxes and solo cups on the floor, Ryan and Brendon all huddled up to each other, Gabe complaining that Ray's fro was always getting in his face, Bob rolling his eyes at everyone, Pete watching Patrick more than the movies, Andy trying to see who he could throw pizza at, and him in the middle of Frank and Mikey. His best friend and his brother.

He would've never thought this is where he'd be two weeks ago, yet here he was. And yeah, he thought to himself. Two years down, two to go. Maybe, it wouldn't be as bad as he had thought.

Notes

Chapter Title Credit: Start of Something New - High School Musical
yeah hsm fight me about it motherfucker

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